Protective effect of oil extracted from Neophocaena asiaeorientalis against hydgrogen peroxide-induced oxidative stress in HepG2 cells

Abstract

Although animal fat has been reported to be an effective preventative agent for cardiovascular disease, pancreatitis and diabetes, its protective effects against hepatotoxicity have not been thoroughly investigated. Therefore, in this study, the anti-hepatotoxic activity of oil extracted from the forehead of Neophocaena asiaeorientalis (OFNA) was investigated. Changes in cell viability, cell morphology, cell cycle, and apoptotic protein expression were measured in HepG2 cells co-treated with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and OFNA. OFNA contained 19.3 g/100 g docosahexaenoic acid, 8.2 g/100 g eicosapentaenoic acid, and 19.6 g/100 g palmitoleic acid. Cell viability did not differ significantly between vehicle-treated and 0.1–1% OFNA-treated cells. The minimum concentration of H2O2 required to cause the death of HepG2 cells was 1 mM. Cell viability was higher in the group treated with H2O2 plus OFNA (0.1, 0.5, 0.7 and 1%) than in the group treated with H2O2 alone, and OFNA protected against H2O2-induced apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. The ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 was reduced in response to treatment with the OFNA combination compared to H2O2 alone. Interestingly, 2′,7′-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate staining showed a reduction of oxidative stress induced by H2O2 after pre-treatment with OFNA. Taken together, these results suggest that OFNA protects cells against H2O2-induced death, and suggest that it has potential for use as a preventive agent for various types of hepatic injury caused by chemical substances.